Medal of Honor: Airborne

About

Medal of Honor Airborne is a WWII first-person shooter where your parachute jump and landing spot directly impact your strategy. Explore open, vertical environments to gain tactical advantages against enemies, and engage in multiplayer battles across three modes on Xbox LIVE. The experience changes with every playthrough, offering a unique war each time. No refunds.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,748 reviews

story109 positive mentions

stability102 negative mentions

The game features a unique parachuting mechanic that allows players to choose their landing zone, adding a layer of strategy to gameplay.
Weapon upgrades based on kills provide a satisfying progression system, encouraging players to experiment with different weapons.
The graphics and sound design hold up well for a game released in 2007, creating an immersive WWII atmosphere.

The AI is often unhelpful, with allies getting in the way and enemies spawning in front of the player, leading to frustrating gameplay.
The campaign is very short, typically taking only 4-6 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
Numerous bugs and glitches, such as disappearing weapons and getting stuck on objects, detract from the overall experience.

story
615 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
6%
The story in "Medal of Honor: Airborne" is generally considered weak and simplistic, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Players engage in six missions based on real WWII operations, with each mission starting with a parachute drop that allows for some freedom in how objectives are approached. While the missions are action-packed and offer replayability, the lack of character development and a cohesive storyline leaves much to be desired, making it feel more like a series of combat scenarios than a cohesive narrative experience.
- “It's a story that portrays in a dramatized manner the experiences of the paratroopers of the 'Easy' Company of the 101st Airborne Division.”
- “The plot is based on the events of the division, thus each chapter, presented in the form of a mission, portrays their most crucial operations.”
- “The story follows the 82nd Airborne throughout the war in 6 missions, from Operation Husky to the Ruhr.”
- “The campaign is only 6 missions long without any real story arc; you just go around taking down enemies and fulfilling objectives.”
- “There is no real overall story and your squadmates are just anonymous generic soldiers...if the story gave any of them names I certainly didn't notice.”
- “The story is very basic and easy to follow; it's just a soldier and missions.”
gameplay
311 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of "Medal of Honor: Airborne" is characterized by its unique parachuting mechanic, allowing players to choose their landing zones and approach objectives in a non-linear fashion, which adds a layer of strategy and replayability. While the shooting mechanics and weapon upgrade system are generally well-received, some players note issues with enemy AI, hit detection, and occasional bugs that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic and engaging WWII shooter experience, though it shows its age in certain aspects.
- “The gameplay mixes that of some tactical shooters with a standard FPS, adding depth with an emphasis on leaning and strategic placement, allowing players to spawn and parachute on top of buildings for better long-range shots.”
- “The mechanic where you can parachute anywhere on the battlefield is the most innovative and selling point of this game, making it thrilling to land deep in enemy territory surrounded by soldiers engaging in mid to close-range combat.”
- “The gameplay offers an immersive atmosphere with detailed graphics and awesome WWII sounds, providing a unique experience that allows players to choose their landing site and approach objectives in a nonlinear fashion.”
- “I didn't think much of this game even back then because the gameplay and level design seemed incredibly dull and there isn't any kind of story beyond brief generic banter between soldiers in a cutscene preceding an explosion or tank or whatever.”
- “The gameplay itself is... clunky.”
- “I regretted wasting that money on this pile of shit, not only is it riddled with weird visual and gameplay bugs, the game plays like a dumbed down Call of Duty knock-off, expect lots of bullshit deaths, brain-dead AI and weak ineffective guns, whilst enemies can fire through cover and pick you off from kilometers away.”
graphics
294 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
The graphics of "Medal of Honor: Airborne" are generally regarded as impressive for a game released in 2007, with many players noting that they still hold up well today despite some dated elements and occasional graphical glitches. While the visuals may not match modern standards, they effectively convey the WWII setting and contribute to an immersive experience, with a mix of nostalgia and solid aesthetics. However, some users have reported issues with graphical performance and compatibility on newer systems, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are amazing for its age, awesome story, runs amazing, just buy it no matter what the year is.”
- “The graphics hold up pretty well for a game that came out in 2007.”
- “The graphics are really great and the single player action really does a great job at keeping you entertained through the whole campaign.”
- “Glitches, bugs, graphic errors, and so on.”
- “The graphics are outdated, and the AI is poor.”
- “Extremely dated graphics for 2007 with broken physics and AI.”
stability
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and graphical errors that detract from the overall experience. Many players note that while the game can be enjoyable and nostalgic, it suffers from poor optimization on modern hardware, leading to issues like disappearing weapons, erratic enemy behavior, and inconsistent hit detection. Despite these problems, some players find the glitches amusing and manageable, allowing them to still appreciate the gameplay.
- “Not sure why I didn't play it back when it released... it is a solid game and runs great, especially for $4.50.”
- “Game runs great and had no issues with framerate, graphics, or any other nasty surprises.”
- “The game seems to run bug-free on Windows 10.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy and not recommended.”
- “Great game but time has made this a buggy mess, almost unplayable at times.”
- “Combined with glitches and bugs, it seems like the game was rushed and lacks polish.”
music
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic orchestral compositions reminiscent of classic WWII films and previous titles in the Medal of Honor series. Composed by Michael Giacchino, the soundtrack effectively enhances the gameplay experience, evoking nostalgia and a sense of heroism, although some critics noted the reliance on recycled tracks from earlier games. Overall, the soundtrack is described as beautiful, cinematic, and a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere.
- “The game's soundtrack is epic, with soaring orchestral pieces that will make you feel like you're in the middle of an action movie.”
- “One of the strengths of the Medal of Honor series is its music: passed on from the previous games, it is used well here: it is audible enough to provide a patriotic, fighting soundtrack but is also quiet enough to avoid distracting you from gameplay.”
- “Love the soundtrack, the music in the game is great and really adds to the feel of the game.”
- “The soundtrack consists mostly of re-used tracks from previous titles; it's nice to listen to the classics, but they could have composed a really nice new soundtrack.”
- “We were sick of it all: the European landscape, the same inadequate weapons, the bombastic orchestrated music that blared as you shot the same enemy types over and over.”
- “It feels more like playing Indiana Jones: Airborne (right down to something about the music) rather than a shooter.”
replayability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
60%
13%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the open-ended maps and non-linear objectives that encourage varied approaches to missions. While some enjoy the weapon upgrade system and the nostalgic gameplay, others find the short campaign and lack of substantial content limit its long-term appeal. Overall, it offers decent replay value for those who enjoy experimenting with different strategies, but it may not satisfy players seeking a more extensive experience.
- “Time hasn't been kind to it -- expect the collision detection to randomly fling you a few meters across, if not outright getting you stuck in a wall -- and you do yearn for a bit more at the end, but the gameplay is solid gold and the open-level aspect provides enough replayability to want to relive the WWII airborne brotherhood all over again.”
- “And there's more replayability than usual since the six levels all take place in open-ended maps, allowing for a fair amount of variation in how you approach each objective and in what order.”
- “The game features a short campaign that is pretty standard WWII shooter, but the airborne mechanic is fun and allows you to basically land wherever you'd like on each mission, giving it some replay value with different strategies for taking on each drop.”
- “It is quite a short one (on casual difficulty, I finished it in about 7 hours), and while theoretically choosing your own landing site is an interesting idea, it serves no real purpose and offers no substantial replay value since the six missions are short anyway and the maps not that big.”
- “Another drawback is the poor AI; allies in this game are essentially useless, you will notice that you are literally killing everyone and doing most of the workload, and the enemies are always darting around and sticking their heads out in the open. Also, this game doesn't have much replayability; after you beat the game, there is little reason to pick it back up and play it, as the other difficulties don't expand on the game much.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its exaggerated ragdoll physics and amusing glitches, which often lead to hilarious moments during combat, such as enemies flying unexpectedly or getting stuck in odd positions. Players find the combination of intense gameplay and comedic elements, like absurd weapon interactions and funny sound effects, to enhance the overall experience, making it both entertaining and occasionally unintentionally comedic. While some glitches can be frustrating, many players appreciate the lightheartedness they bring to the game.
- “One particular hilarious instance was where there were 3 enemies on a floor above me; they must have all decided to repeatedly throw grenades down the stairs but missing entirely because the grenades got stuck on the top step.”
- “Ragdoll physics are broken; it made me laugh out loud a few times when some enemies skyrocketed into space after receiving a burst from my tommy gun.”
- “The body physics in this game will leave you laughing hysterically; check my photos of it if you do not believe me.”
monetization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players expressing frustration over a poorly implemented ads (aim down sights) system that hampers gameplay and control. Many reviewers noted that the mechanics feel outdated and clunky, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment, suggesting that the game is not worth the investment. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be negatively impacted by these gameplay issues, making it hard for players to justify spending money on the title.
- “The difficulty is a bit wonky and the ads system is pretty whack.”
- “This game is not worth a dime; its shoot, die, shoot, die story is garbage along with this weird ads system where you don't use the rear sight.”
- “The fov and ads settings feel like they were ripped directly from console... it's as if they actually were... hmmm... don't buy this if you're an avid PC gamer because it will not meet your expectations.”
optimization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
38%
29%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and high frame rates on modern hardware, while others report significant stuttering and bugs, particularly on newer systems. Overall, while the gameplay and graphics are praised, many users express frustration with the game's poor optimization, which detracts from the experience.
- “I am highly satisfied with both the gameplay performance and graphics.”
- “Now running on RTX 3090, this game runs smoothly at 1000 fps. I think every modern GPU can run it just fine without the need to lower image quality.”
- “The game itself runs smoothly with no FPS dips.”
- “It's also a shame how this game is so poorly optimized and buggy on newer hardware, but this game will forever hold a special place in my heart as one of the best games from my childhood.”
- “Horrible software and optimization.”
- “Decent game, but the optimization is terrible.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for effectively capturing the daunting experience of WWII, enhanced by impressive graphics and sound design that contribute to an immersive historical setting. While some players note a lack of character development and a more lighthearted tone in certain sections, the overall ambiance remains engaging and is bolstered by innovative gameplay elements like parachuting and sandbox missions. Despite its age, the game successfully creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “Jumping out of an airplane into enemy territory as a paratrooper in WWII must have been a daunting experience, and this game captures the atmosphere well.”
- “The graphics for this game are fairly good, doing a very good job of using the environment and lighting to generate an atmosphere that, along with the soundtrack, fits Airborne like a glove.”
- “The gameplay offers an immersive atmosphere with detailed graphics and awesome WWII sounds.”
- “Personally, I think this sort of censorship detracts from the overall mood and atmosphere of the game, but ultimately it's only cosmetic changes, so it might not bother you enough to download a 6GB mod.”
- “While Medal of Honor: Airborne is lacking the amazing character development present in Brothers in Arms and the gritty atmosphere of World at War, it still offered something unique: by adding parachuting and sandbox missions, the game acquired a vast verticality that offers replayability way beyond that of the more serious (and, admittedly, illustrious) duo that compose the aforementioned trio.”
- “No atmosphere”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the initial missions are enjoyable, the latter stages become tedious due to poor level design and repetitive mechanics. The need to level up weapons can feel grindy, especially with underpowered options, but some players appreciate the enhancements that come with it. Overall, the balance between engaging gameplay and tedious grinding varies significantly throughout the campaign.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The first missions are cool and fun, but the second half of the campaign is extremely tedious with some poor level design.”
- “In later levels, where the enemies become quite tough, it's just not an option you can rely on, and you'll be back to tedious cover shooting.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game lacks a deep storyline and character development, which diminishes emotional attachment for some players; however, it successfully evokes feelings of heroism and epic adventure through its gameplay and well-composed music. While it may not provide a compelling emotional narrative, it still manages to create impactful moments that resonate with players. Overall, the emotional experience is mixed, with some appreciating the simplicity while others seek more depth.
- “Music is also well composed and truly manages to highlight some surprisingly emotional moments despite the lack of any character to care about.”
- “But it made me feel like a hero, who was ready to embark on some epic journey.”
- “It may not have the most emotional, compelling storyline, but it's still an amazing game.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in Medal of Honor: Airborne is notably minimal, lacking the depth found in titles like Brothers in Arms and World at War, primarily due to its standard WWII plot and absence of a compelling narrative. While the game introduces unique gameplay elements such as parachuting and sandbox missions that enhance replayability, it does not compensate for the overall lack of character growth or story engagement.
- “Also, there is no character development of any kind, which isn't surprising considering the lack of story.”
- “-plot: standard WWII game with a general lack of plot and character development.”
- “While Medal of Honor: Airborne is lacking the amazing character development present in Brothers in Arms and the gritty atmosphere of World at War, it still offered something unique: by adding parachuting and sandbox missions, the game acquired a vast verticality that offers replayability way beyond that of the more serious (and, admittedly, illustrious) duo that compose the aforementioned trio.”